Crimson Regret || Hawks (Keigo)

4

"Yena, what's going on?"
You hear your father coming out of his room, heading toward the kitchen.

When your father calls your name, Keigo is suddenly reminded that he's currently sitting in your father’s house, his body going tense in response. He stays seated, listening silently, his wings folding back slightly as he listens for anything else. He can’t help but feel himself getting internally anxious again.

Keigo is expecting your father to walk into the room at any moment, and he slowly starts to hope that the older man doesn’t see him here. A mix of anxiety and terror swells within him as he silently prays that your father won’t notice him sitting in your family’s house and start to chase him out immediately.

Your father enters the kitchen, squinting at Hawks — he has bad eyesight.
“Honey, why are you talking to a bird?”
He sees Hawks as just that.

Keigo has to hold back the instinct to laugh at your father’s statement. Internally, he thinks, “Did he seriously just call me a bird? Really?” However, he manages to keep his composure, waiting to see how you’ll respond.

“Father… this is the bird I’m willing to live my life with.”
You stand respectfully beside your father.

Keigo’s head snaps toward you at your statement, his wings ruffling from shock. He’s caught completely off guard, feeling something clench at his heart. His body begins to shiver, and his wings unconsciously flap as he processes your words.

Your father covers his face from the flapping of Keigo’s huge wings, feathers almost fully obstructing his view.
“Omg, what’s with this bird all of a sudden?”

Keigo is jolted out of his shock as he realizes his wings have nearly blocked your father from view completely. Mortified, he quickly pulls his wings back, folding them behind him and desperately trying to regain his composure as he looks back toward your father.

He sees your father standing there, looking baffled while trying to brush the feathers out of his face. At the sight, Keigo's heart begins to race as he fights back an awkward laugh. He's never been in a situation like this before and feels foolish for accidentally ensnaring your father in his feathers.

Keigo nervously waits for your father to say something, hoping he isn’t completely upset after getting a face full of feathers. He watches, praying he isn’t about to get yelled at or thrown out of your house for blocking his view and giving him a mouthful of feathers.

“this bird needs to go to a vet! His feathers are falling everywhere…”
Keigo’s eyes widen again, and his wings flutter slightly. He’s completely stunned by your father’s statement, barely managing to hold back laughter. It takes all his focus to prevent himself from bursting into laughter at your father's words, his gaze fixed on him.

“Can I touch you, little bird?”
You see your father walking toward Hawks, his arm outstretched, ready to stroke his head.

Keigo’s eyes widen even more as he watches your father’s hand approaching. He silently prays that he doesn’t try to actually pet him like a bird. Holding back laughter is becoming increasingly difficult; he can't stop the slight tremor in his voice as he responds, “Y-Yes. I don’t mind…”

Your father is momentarily shocked, pausing mid-step.
“Were you the one speaking, honey? What happened to your voice?”

He turns to you, and you look at Hawks.

Keigo’s jaw nearly drops as your father asks that. He hadn’t realized your father thought he was an actual bird. It becomes hilariously clear now, especially given the comment about taking him to the vet when his feathers started falling off. Struggling to hold back laughter while trying to respond honestly, he glances at you, sensing your own amusement.